Loose leaf binder



July 4, 1939. I R 5, BROWN ZAMAQG LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 25, 1936 INVENTOR. .ifiiJ/nO/zt/ J. Drown. BY 1 M v ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 4, 1939 2,164,496 LQ osE LEAF BlND R "Raymond S. Brown, Columbus, Ind. 'anaesthesia, 25, 193li,.ScriatNo-. 112,684

' nqclaims, o 1 1 293,5

The present. application: relates to. a.loose.-1eaf binder, and more particularly to anzarticle of manufacture so constructed anddesignedas to hold. a sheaf. of loose sheets firmly'inplace upon 5 a support, the supportabeings so constructed that the sheaf may be used as anoteipadlini-any .of a pluralityv of positions-.The .holder. may also be used toibind loose recordsheets.

Theprimary object of the inventionis toipro- 10 vide a device. of the .characterindicatedwhich shall be extremelyinexpensive to manufacture andwhichshall, nevertheless, .possessthe advantages and desirable characteristics required, ..in such a device, for perfect satisfaction to the .user.

18 Further objects of .the:invention.will appearas the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment 10fthe above and vre. lated objects, my invention may beembodied in the iormsillustrated in: the accompanying draw- 20 ing,. attention being .calledto thefact, however, that the drawing is illustrative only, and that change may be made .in. the specific constructions illustrated and described, ,so long ,as the scope of theappended claims is not violated.

25 Fig. 1 is a broken perspective viewof one embodiment of: my. invention;

Big. Z'is a similar View ofanother form of the invention, a sheaf of sheets being shown in, place on thesupport; 1,- 30 Fig. 3 is a fragmental bottom plan of a detail of construction of. the structureeof Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmjental perspective view of a third embodiment of my invention; I

Fig.5 is a-similar-view of .a fourth embodiment 35 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a similar ,view of a fifth embodiment thereof; 7 I a Fig. 7 is a similar View of a sixth embodiment thereof;

40 Fig. 8 is a similar View of a still further form of my invention; and

. Fig. 9 is a fragmental central longitudinal section through the embodiment of Fig. 1. Referring moreparticularly to Fig. 1, it will 45 be seen that I have illustrated a loose-leaf holder comprising a support which consists of a base l2: having ears II and I2 projecting upwardly from its opposite lateral edges. Atpne end, there is-provided an abutment wall 13 which is 5 flanked by ears .14, I' l. .Adjacent its mid-point,

" the abutment wall 13 is'formed' with a notch 15 the lateral edges of which are serrated to form teeth I6. i

A ball or clamping member isindicatedgenerallyby the reference numerall 'l' This member is, in the illustrated embodiment, formed. of a single. integral. piece of spring wire bent. toform legs. l.8,.and t9 which. .are pivotallyconnected to the earslzl andllrespectively, Saidlegs I8; and Illrnerge respectively into substantially aligned sections 2.I..and 2.0 which,.in. effect, constitute a transverse elementjoining. the free ends of the legs .IB; and..l.-9, thereby producing a U-shaped bail-.member.

Substantially at. the. mid=point of the transverseelement 20,. 2t, the wire is twistectas. at 22,.to form anupwardly and outwardly extendingistgemlanda.loopu23 which, as is clearly illustrated,..constitutes afinger lever and is bent to fornnthepontions and 25:Which incline down wandly: and outwardly.

In use, .a sheaf. of sheets is placed in position om he supl'iortv lit and preferably against the abntmentiwall l3. The cars I4 and the bail legs l8..and; l9 cooperate to hold the sheaf gains lateral. displacement. It, now, the loop 23 is pressed downwardly into the notch I5,.it.wil1 be seen that the transverse element 20, 2| of the. bail will be pressed into contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheaf,

andrtheportions 24 and 25: 0f the oop will be engaged: by certain of the teeth I181 on each side of the notch 5. The transverse element thus acts: to ..cl'amp the sheaf in place on the base; and servesasa-tearing-edgeagainst which shee s may .be tornuaway.

...Th.e. loop. is so dimensioned that, in ord r to enter the-portions 24 and 25 ofthe loop between the lateral edges of the notch I5, it is necessary to flexthe transverse member 29, 21, moving the stem 22 away from the ears H and 12. This movement of thestem and loop takes place automatically as the loop is depressed, the inclined portions 24 and 25 camming against the tooth surfaces. The downward slant of the portions 40 24iand: 251 of the loop 23 makes it necessary, in order 'to disengage the loop from the teeth It, to depress the extremity of the loop still further, as a preliminary to shifting theloop toward the left, as viewed'inFig. 1, to disengage the sides of the loop from theteeth I 6.

It willbe seen that, when the l0op23 is pressed downwardly to clamp the transverse element 20, 21 againstthesheaf of sheets on the support I0, the transverse element 20,21 is flexed in a direction away from the ears H and I2 and is simultaneously placed under torsional stress; and thatat the'same timeythe legs l8 and [9 (which might alsobe termed levers) are placed under bending stress in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support I8.

The structure of Fig. 2 is, in most respects, identical with the structure of Fig. 1. The support 38 is provided with ears 3| and 32, with an abutment 33, and with ears 34-34. The abutment is notched, as at 35, and the lateral edges of the notch 35 are serrated to form teeth 36. A bail 31, formed of spring wire, is bent to provide legs 38 and 39 and a transverse element 46, 4|; and the wire is bent to form a double stem 42 leading to a loop or finger lever 43, the portions 44 and 45 of the loop being downwardly and outwardly inclined. In this figure, I have shown a sheaf 46 of loose sheets clamped in place by the bail 31.

In this embodiment of the invention, I have illustrated a plate, indicated generally at 41, to which may be applied an advertising message the users name, or any other desired indicia or legend. As is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, the plate 41 is provided with a tongue 48 which is loosely folded over the transverse element 48, 4|; and with separate tongues 49 which, at the opposite ends of the plate, are wrapped around the transverse element 48, 4|, forming hinges at points on this element which have little radial movement relative to the aligned axes when the element is flexed. As a result of this construction, the transverse element 48, 4| in its position between the two plate surfaces is free to flex away from the aligned axes of the legs 38 and 39 without affecting the position of the plate.

The elements of the stem 42 of the loop 43 are confined by the folded-over edge I41, of the plate, and they project through a slot I48 formed in the curl of said edge. Movement of the loop 43 toward the base 38 when compressing the pad causes the plate to rotate downwardly on its hinges 49. The elements of the stem 42 are not necessarily joined in this construction as the plate furnishes the tearing edge for detaching leaves and a break in the continuity of the element 48, 4| is not detrimental.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated a further form of my invention comprising a base or support 58 the lateral edges of which are turned under as at 5| and 52. At one end, the base 58 is provided with an upstanding abutment 53 which is flanked by ears 54, 54. A space or slot 55 is provided between one of the ears 54 and the adjacent end of the abutment 53, and said end of the abutment is formed with downturned teeth 56, as is clearly shown.

In this form of the invention, the bail 51 is formed of spring wire and is bent to form a leg 58 merging with a transverse bar 68, the wire passing, at the juncture of the leg 58 and the bar 68 through a slot 59 formed in the curl of the lateral edge 5| of the base. The bar 68 passes beneath the base 58 and emerges through a slot 6| in the curl of the lateral edge 52 of the base; the wire then continuing to form a leg 62 parallel to the leg 58, and a transverse element 63 substantially parallel with the bar 68. At a proper point, the wire is turned upon itself to form a loop 64 in which is engaged an eye 65 formed at the free end of the leg 58. In effect, the legs 58 and 62 and the transverse element 63 comprise a U-shaped bail.

From the loop 64, the wire continues as an arm or finger lever 66 preferably terminating in a ring 61 which is positioned beyond the abutment 53.

Preferably, I provide a plate 68, made of any desired material, held in place by the intumed edges 5| and 52 of the base, and grooved to re-' ceive the bar 68.- The plate 68 acts as a spacer and helps to stiffen the base 58.

It will be clear that, when a sheaf of sheets has been placed upon the base 58 in engagement with the abutment 53, the finger lever 66 may be pressed downwardly and engaged beneath one of the teeth 56. When it is so pressed downwardly, torsional stress is impressed upon the transverse element 63, and bending stress is applied to the leg 62. Leg 58 acts as a guide to position loop 64 and to preserve alignment of sheets in the pad. In order to release the finger lever 66 from the teeth 56 it is, of course, necessary to depress the end 61 of the finger lever 66.

Preferably, the abutment 53 is provided with a finger notch 69, for removing stubs.

By omitting leg 58 I have substantially the construction shown in Fig. 6 except that leg 62 is confined to movement in a vertical plane.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated a form of the invention which is similar .to those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; but which difiers therefrom in that, in order to disengage the loop from its cooperating teeth, it is necessary to move the loop toward the aligned pivotal axes of the bail legs.

In this form of the invention, there is provided a base 18 having lateral ears 1| and 12 and an upstanding abutment 13 at one end of the base, said abutment being flanked by ears 14. The abutment is provided with a notch 15 the lateral edges of which are formed with teeth 16.

The bail 11 comprises a single piece of spring wire bent to provide legs 18 and 19 which merge into substantially alinged sections 88 and 8| cooperating to form a transverse member. The wire is twisted to form a stem 82 projecting substantially from the mid-point of the transverse element 88, 8| and to form a loop or finger lever 83. The sections 84 and 85 of the loop 83 are inclined downwardly and inwardly and are adapted to be engaged with the teeth 16 of the notch 15. In order to release the loop 83 from the teeth 16, it is necessary to depress the loop and to force the same toward the right, thereby flexing the transverse element 88, 8| toward the ears H and 12. When the loop 83 is forced into engagement with the teeth 16, torsional and bending stresses are applied to the transverse element 88, 8|, and bending stresses are applied to the legs 18 and 19.

In Fig. 6, I have illustrated a form of the invention similar to the form illustrated in Fig. 4, except that the bail is a substantially Z-shaped element, pivoted at one point only. In this form. of the invention, the base 98 is formed with a single ear 9| on one lateral edge, and is provided with an upstanding abutment 92 flanked by ears 93. Between one of the ears 93 and the adjacent end of the abutment 92, there is formed a slot 94, and the adjacent end of the abutment 92 is formed to provide downturned teeth 95.

In this form of the invention, the bail, indicated generally at 96, constitutes a single piece of spring wire bent to form a single leg 91, a transverse element 98, and a finger lever 99. Intermediate its ends, and at the point at which the finger lever 99 is adapted to engage one of the teeth 95, said finger lever is bent to provide a V I88; and the finger lever terminates in a ring I8I. Preferably, the abutment 92 is formed with a finger notch I82.

When a sheaf of sheets is placed upon the base 2. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets, and a spring wire bail comprising a substantially U-shaped member having its legs hinged to opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes, a wire loop projecting substantially from the mid-point of the transverse element of said U-shaped member, and notched means on said base cooperable with said loop, at times, to hold the same in a position in which said transverse element is pressed against the face of said sheaf under torsional stress and the legs of said U-shaped member are subjected to a bending stress.

3. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a spring wire bail comprising a U-shaped member having its legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes, a spring wire element projecting from the transverse element of said U-shaped member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and cooperable with said spring wire element, at times, to prevent movement of said transverse element away from said base.

4. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a spring wire bail comprising a U-shaped member having its legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes, a spring Wire loop projecting substantially from the midpoint of the transverse element of said U-shaped member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and cooperable with said loop, at times, to prevent movement of said transverse element away from said base.

5. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a spring wire bail comprising a U-shaped member having its legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes, a spring wire loop projecting substantially from the midpoint of the transverse element of said u-shaper member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with the opposite sides of said loop upon a non-diametrical chord thereof, at times, to prevent movement of said transverse element away from said base.

6. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element pro-- jecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with said loop, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

'7. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with the opposite sides of said loop upon a non-diametrical chord. there of, at times, upon flexing of said resilient mem her, to hold said resilient member against move-- ment away from said base.

8. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with the opposite sides of said loop upon a non-diametrical chord thereof located between said resilient member and the major chord of said loop parallel With said resilient member, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

9. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with the opposite sides of said loop upon a non-diametrical chord thereof located beyond the major chord of said loop parallel with said resilient member, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

10. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said. base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable within said loop, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base, said abutment including an upstanding member lying in the median longitudinal plane perpendicular to said base and adapted to be received in a slot formed in an end of said sheaf.

11. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with points on the outside surface of said loop, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

12. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with said loop, at times, 1

upon flexing of said resilient member away from said aligned axes, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

13. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, and tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with said loop, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member toward said aligned axes, to hold said resilient member against movement away from said base.

14. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets, and a clamping member comprising at least one lever hinged to said base, a bar extending from the free end of said lever across said base and adapted to engage said sheaf, means cooperating with said bar for impressing a torsional stress on said bar and a bending stress on said lever to hold said sheaf in place on said base, and a sheaf-engaging plate hinged to said bar and swingable about the axis of said bar in response to movement of said cooperating means.

15. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising a pair of legs pivoted on opposite lateral edges of said base upon aligned axes and a transverse resilient member connecting the free ends of said legs, a loop element projecting from said resilient member toward said abutment, tooth means formed on said abutment and engageable with said loop, at times, upon flexing of said resilient member to hold said resilient member under bending stress and under torsional stress, and a sheaf-engaging plate hinged to said resilient member at points near its junctions with said legs, and movable in response to movement of said loop in applying such torsional stress but unresponsive to bending of said transverse member.

16. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a bail comprising an integral length of spring wire bent to form a U-shaped member from the transverse element of which projects a loop, the legs of said U-shaped element being pivoted upon aligned axes on said base, and means on said abutment cooperable, at times, with said loop to hold said loop against movement away from said base.

17. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base for supporting a sheaf of sheets and formed to provide an upstanding abutment at one end thereof, and a clamping member comprising at least one lever pivoted on a lateral edge of said base and a transverse element carried by the free end of said lever and adapted to engage said sheaf on a line substantially parallel with said base end, a finger lever projecting from said transverse element toward said base end, and means on said abutment engageable, at times, with said finger lever to hold said transverse element against movement away from said base, said last-named means and said finger lever being formed with cooperating surfaces enforcing movement of said finger lever toward said base as a preliminary to disengagement of said finger piece from said last-named means.

RAYMOND S. BROWN.

- CERTIFICATE} O CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,1 6l;,u9 6. July 1;, 19 9.

RAYMOND. s. BROWN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered. patent requiring correction as follows: Page l sec- 0nd column; 55,, claim 11, after the word "one" insert and; and-thatthe said Letters Patent should be read Withjthifl correction-therein that the same may conform to the record. ofthe case in the Patent Office;

'Signed anfi'sealed this 15th 6370f Au usnA, 9.19519.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) I I Acting Comnlssioner of Patents. 

